Mr. Miguel Molina Garcia

Contact details

School of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirmingham B15 2TTUK

Miguel joined the Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research in October 2013 as part of the CDT. He is a chemical engineer graduated in 2012 in Universidad de Granada (Spain) and since then he has dedicated his effort to the research. His work is focused in the field of catalysts for Alkaline Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC), continuing with the investigations that he commenced in a previous internship in one of the leader research centres of Germany.

Qualifications

MEng Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Granada (Spain)

Final Project: Full design of a methanol synthesis plant by an autothermal reforming technology. Mark: (9.25/10).

Biography

Miguel graduated from his MEng degree in 2012. During the period 2010-2011, he had a 1-year internship in Max Planck Institute in Magdeburg (Germany) as part of the Otto Hahn Group, where he introduced himself in the field of fuel cells with a research on the influence of the ionomer content in the catalyst layer on the performance of Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (ADMFC). This work was supervised by Dr. Prashant Subhas Khadke and Prof. Dr-Eng. Ulrike Krewer. In parallel with his studies he worked as a private teacher in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for secondary school and university students.

Doctoral research

PhD title

"Next generation catalysts for Fuel Cells"

Research

Miguel is currently investigating the synthesis of cheaper Pt-group metal (PGM)-free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media, focusing on the different types of carbon supports and putting special emphasis on graphene doped with different atoms. The next step will be the incorporation of spinel and perovskite configuration metal oxides onto the carbon support in order to create a high-performance novel catalyst. His research is also focused into the practical application of these catalysts in real AEMFCs, paying special attention to the stability and durability of the catalytic system.

Other activities

Miguel has keen interest in traveling and participating in international events. He became a member of AEGEE European Students’ Forum, participating in the Summer University “Two hearts, one beat” taking place in Krakow (Poland) and Lviv (Ukraine), between 7th and 21st July 2012. He is also a member of the organizing committee of Spanish Researchers in United Kingdom (SRUK) and takes part in the organization and running of events around UK.

In his spare time he loves reading, especially Gabriel García-Márquez, and listening music, mainly British indie bands.